Burkina Faso Capital

The capital city of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou, located in the central part of the country, near the Green Belt of the Centre Region. The name of the city is often shortened to Ouaga, and the people who live here are known as Ouagalais. The spelling of the name Ouagadougou borrows heavily from French grammar and punctuation which is common in many ex-French colonies.

The population of Ouagadougou is estimated at just over 2.3 million citizens; many of these people live in the city region. The city covers an area of 219.3 square kilometres (84.7 square miles), and the surrounding metropolitan area encompasses an area of 2,805 square kilometres (1,083 sq miles). The population of Ouagadougou doubles about every ten years which has led to rapid development in some parts of the city. The majority of the citizenry in Ouagadougou speak the Mossi language, as well as having a working knowledge of French.

The city has been long famous for being the home to a sprawling market which is located in the central city. The restaurants and food scene in Ouagadougou have collectively contributed to the area becoming one of the premier dining cities in West Africa. Two major attractions are The National Museum of Music which exhibits all of the native musical instruments of Burkina Faso and the Musee de Manega which houses ancient Mossi Empire antiquities as well as quintessential cultural artefacts. The National Museum of Burkina Faso and the Moro-Naba Palace are also great places to check out.

The climate of Ouagadougou is classed as a hot semi-arid environment that can also exhibit characteristics of a tropical wet and dry climate. The rainy season in the city takes place from May-October, with the heaviest precipitation taking place between June and September. During this time, the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), and much of the yearly 800mm (31 inches) of rainfall occurs during this period of the year. The maximum temperature during the hot months (March-May) can reach 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) and the minimum average during the colder months is 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit). Dry winds combining with monsoon weather contribute significantly to the overall climate of Ouagadougou.